Pokemon: A Gym Leader's Rise(SI)

High above the arena of the Indigo Plateau Stadium, the VIP stand offered a panoramic view of the tournament happening below.

In a richly appointed private box, the elite of the Indigo region gathered. Seated in an array of plush chairs were the current revered Elite Four of Indigo—Agatha, Bruno, Blaine, and Lance—alongside the first champion of Indigo Professor Oak, current Champion of Indigo, Pryce and the guest champion from Hoenn, Drake.

Professor Oak broke the silence. "It's remarkable, isn't it? This tournament has drawn trainers from every corner of the region. And this year, the merging of Indigo and Hoenn traditions has really set the stage for something new." His tone was gentle and excited, yet every word carried the weight of decades of experience.

Pryce, sitting with an unmistakable air of arrogance, scoffed lightly, though he still maintained some respect in his tone for his superior and legend sitting besides him.

"New, perhaps. But let's not pretend that the fundamentals have changed. True strength, discipline, and—naturally—the superiority of our traditions remain. The contestants may be numerous, but only those who adhere to the standards of our great Indigo legacy will ultimately prevail. They are only at the beginning of what it means to be a trainer. They are still too weak."

Drake, smiled wildly,

"Oh, come now, Pryce. You can't tell me that a bit of innovation and unity isn't refreshing. After all, blending the fiery passion of Hoenn with the steadfast resolve of Indigo creates something extraordinary." His eyes twinkled as he exchanged a knowing glance with Professor Oak.

Inwardly he scoffed at Pryce attitude 'Yeah, he definitely is an idiot. Who would be angering the legendary Oak? That old man and his Dragonite had killed people and Pokemon in thousands during the Infinity War.'

The Elite Four also joined the conversation. Lance, stoic and proud as ever, leaned forward with his gaze fixed on the arena.

Agatha looked at Pryce with a smirk "Pryce, perhaps you should keep a closer attention to the contestants. After all, the winner of the league has the right to challenge any elite four as well as the Champion with in 5 years of them winning the tournament."

Agatha also gave a knowing look to Lance who stiffened at the mistress of creepiness looking at him.

'She knows my plans? How? Damnit, it must have leaked from someone from the clan.' Lance thought without showing any outward expression.

Pryce scoffed "You should be worried more about yourself old hag. You might just drop dead after five years."

Agatha ignored him and then leaned toward Blaine with a mischievous glint. "Blaine, dear, isn't it time you say a few words about your grandson and Granddaughter? I heard whispers that your daughter has raised them splendidly." Her tone dripped with both sarcasm and an unsettling delight, causing a few eyebrows to raise among the group.

Blaine merely scoffed and ignored Agatha and her antics.

Just then, their attention was drawn to the massive screen in front of them. The live broadcast had switched to one of the tournament fields, where a match was unfolding that captured everyone's attention. Gladion Vortex had just entered the arena for his first bout.

His opponent had already released a formidable Arbok, poised and ready for battle. But the real spectacle was on display as Gladion's prized Machamp—made his grand entrance. The match ended within a few seconds of it's beginning.

Bruno nearly choked on his drink as Guy had made his entrance, his booming laugh echoing in the VIP box. "By the gods, that outfit is something else!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "I mean, who in their right mind would choose green spandex over something more... dignified?"

Agatha arched an eyebrow at the usually stoic Bruno who was showing somuch emotions. "It's positively ghastly, yet strangely endearing."

'Hmm, So to get emotions out of Bruno, you need to do something funny with a fighting type Pokemon? I should have expected it from the musclehead.' She thought

Lance, ever the picture of stoic pride, offered a brief nod. "Regardless of its appearance, I must admit that the Machamp's performance is commendable. A Machamp like that is at least a low-level ace—a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield." His tone was measured and respectful, a subtle acknowledgment of skill despite the absurdity of the uniform.

'That Machamp has trained tremendously. Even now he is training. He would be a worth opponent for my own Machamp in the future.' Bruno thought as he looked at the bulges in the green jumpsuit that guy was wearing. It was not just muscles but something more. Bruno smirked as he started reading the rule book to confirm something.

Pryce, whose expression remained perpetually cold and dismissive, muttered under his breath, "I suppose even a ridiculous spectacle can yield results. But let's not forget that true strength lies in tradition, not in... gimmicks."

Professor Oak excitedly gave his own thoughts "A fascinating display of skill and, dare I say, showmanship. It is moments like these that remind me why we continue to celebrate the spirit of competition."

Pryce, however, remained aloof, barely glancing at the replay of Guy's performance on the screen. "Merely a fleeting spectacle," he muttered, his tone as chilly as ever. "It is nothing compared to the rigorous discipline we have maintained over the years."

Drake added, "Sometimes, though, a little bit of absurdity is exactly what the world needs to remind us of the joy in our battles."

'What an ass-licker!' Pryce thought, he knew that Drake was saying all of these things to get in good books of Oak.

At that moment, Agatha's voice cut through the conversation with a hint of mischief. "Blaine, my dear, what do you say about your grandson? I think he's doing rather well—quite the prodigy, isn't he?"

The question hung in the air like a provocative challenge. All eyes turned toward Blaine, whose normally stoic expression flickered with a mixture of irritation and reluctant pride.

"My grandson? I hardly recall discussing family matters in a tournament setting," he replied coolly, though his voice betrayed a slight tremor of defensiveness.

Bruno burst out laughing, clapping Blaine on the shoulder. "Oh, come on, Blaine! Admit it—you must be proud, even if you'd rather not say it out loud. After all, he's the son of the fire witch Erza and a true force in his own right!"

His comment elicited a ripple of surprise laughter from the VIP stand, and even Professor Oak couldn't hide a wry smile. Everyone knew that Blaine and his Daughter had a complicated history.

Blaine's eyes narrowed, and he scoffed dismissively, "Family is not for public display. I expect you all to keep such trivial matters to yourselves."

Professor Oak tried to change the topic "This tournament is as much about political unity as it is about battle prowess. With the alliance between Indigo and Hoenn, we are witnessing the birth of a new era—one where tradition meets youth, and where every trainer, regardless of origin, has the opportunity to rise."

Drake smiled broadly at the assembled group. "And it is our duty, as champions and mentors, to support this new generation. Every trainer in this tournament has a story, and today, we witness the unfolding of many such legends."

Pryce, still in his frosty demeanor, simply grunted, "Legends are made on the battlefield, not in idle chatter."

As the conversation in the VIP stand continued, the group's attention was drawn once more to the main screen, where Gladion's match against the Arbok was being replayed. The video showcased Guy's remarkable performance—the way he had intercepted, unwrapped, and then dispatched Arbok with a resounding Fire Punch. The crowd's reaction, a blend of astonishment and amusement, was echoed in the voices of the elite.

Bruno, still chuckling, remarked, "I must say, that jumpsuit is something else. I've seen many Machamps in my day, but never has a Machamp looked so… vibrant. It's like he's channeling the very spirit of youth—albeit in the most ridiculous way possible.

If Guy had heard Bruno's words, he would start crying of joy.

-----Author Notes------

Thank you Andrew Edwards and aroniac for supporting me!

Y'all can read 15 extra chapters on my pat*reon. 3 more than what was offered earlier!!

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